Fresco & Piazza

Right on Piazza Signorelli – one of Cortona's most storied squares – this apartment puts you in the living heart of a medieval hill town, with wine bars, restaurants, and evening concerts just steps from the door. Inside, centuries-old frescoes preside over a shared gathering space, and each of the four bedrooms carries its own character, from a canopy bed framed by pietra serena stonework to a two-level suite with its own travertine hammam. Slow mornings feel natural here, in bathrooms hewn from pale stone and rooms where history is simply part of the fabric.

Home truths:
* While some of the bathrooms aren't photographed, expect the style and quality to be consistent with the rest of the home.
* The apartment sits on the fourth floor of an 18th-century building with no lift. You'll be using the stairs a lot, so keep this in mind if anyone in your group has mobility concerns.
* Bedroom one has two single beds on the mezzanine level which are semi-open to the space below, so privacy is limited.
* The kitchen here is small and designed for light use – think breakfast, snacks, or a glass of wine rather than full evening meals. With so many restaurants on the piazza on your doorstep, that's rarely a drawback.
* The apartment is right on Piazza Signorelli, which hosts nightly concerts and restaurant activity below the windows. It's a lively backdrop that most guests love – worth bearing in mind if you're a light sleeper.